Politics

Poll: Republicans Take Hit Following Debt Debate

By Kevin Brennan

+

WASHINGTON - JUNE 22: U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) (L) and House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) listen during a news briefing after a House Republican conference meeting June 22, 2011 at the headquarters of the Republican National Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The House GOP leaders discussed various issues, including the spending cut, with the media. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)(Alex Wong/Getty Images)

In the wake of the prolonged debate over the federal debt limit, Americans have a less favorable opinion of the Republican Party, according to data from a new CNN/ORC International poll released Tuesday.

Only 33 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the GOP, while 59 percent said they hold an unfavorable view of the party. In the same poll conducted from July 18-20, 41 percent held a favorable view of Republicans and 55 percent had an unfavorable view.

The Tea Party also took a hit in popularity in the poll, with just 31 percent of Americans saying they have a favorable opinion of the movement -- down from 37 percent in July.

Support for the Democratic Party remained relatively steady: the percentage of Americans with a favorable opinion of Democrats went from 45 percent last month to 47 percent in the latest numbers. Just 47 percent have an unfavorable view of Democrats in the latest data.

House Speaker John Boehner also saw a decline in his numbers. In the new poll, just 33 percent of Americans said they had a favorable opinion of Boehner, while 40 percent had an unfavorable opinion. In July, 43 percent had a favorable view of Boehner and 32 percent had an unfavorable view.